Limitless Ascension: Strength Amid Adversity – Chapter 312

A tall woman flew in riding light, dressed in a flowing dress that shimmered like moonlight. Her long hair danced freely, and the hem of her skirt swayed gently like waves. Her delicate face exuded a cold beauty, her skin as smooth as jade, making her look like a stunning beauty carved from white marble—so beautiful it felt unreal.

“That’s the Saintess of Yaoguang Sacred Land, Qin Ruyan!” a cultivator exclaimed in admiration.

Unlike the other three Sacred Grounds, Yaoguang Sacred Land only accepted female cultivators!

And Qin Ruyan was the most outstanding saintess in recent years, the dream lover of countless male cultivators in the Central Region.

At that moment.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

Qin Ruyan descended upon the Sunset Mountain Range, her brows and eyes reminiscent of a light frost, radiating a sense of indifference and distance.

“Qin Fairy, I didn’t expect you to be interested in participating in the chess match,” Lin Duxiu stated, wearing a charming smile.

“Hmm.”

Qin Ruyan replied coolly, “Since this is an era of contention, it’s only natural that fortune favors the capable. I thought I’d come and have a go since I have some insights into the Way of Chess.”

Her voice was crisp and ethereal, sounding lovely, yet it lacked any warmth or emotional fluctuation.

“Haha, so you also enjoy chess, Qin Fairy! If you’re free, we could have a match and discuss ideals about life. Of course, I would be very willing to get to know you better,” Ji Baxiao said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the other cultivators gasped, impressed by Ji Baxiao’s boldness.

It was a miracle that someone like him had survived this long!

But Qin Ruyan wore an expressionless face, silent as she cast a cold glance at him.

“Hmm?”

Ji Baxiao’s pupils constricted, and he shivered involuntarily.

In an instant, he felt as if he were teetering on the edge of death, his whole body chilled, as though he was falling into an abyss.

“I was just joking, Qin Fairy! Please don’t take it to heart,” Ji Baxiao quickly backtracked, terrified.

At the same time, he gained a new understanding of the Yaoguang Saintess’s power.

To evoke such a sense of danger in him, her strength must be far beyond his imagination.

Ji Baxiao was quite depressed; he used to think he was among the top young talents of the Four Great Sacred Grounds, but now it seemed that was far from the truth.

Qin Ruyan turned her indifferent gaze away, ignoring Ji Baxiao, who was flustered and nervous.

Lin Duxiu was secretly alarmed. He previously thought he was the strongest among the younger generation of the four Sacred Grounds, but clearly, that was not the case.

The aura from this Yaoguang Saintess felt significantly different from the last time they met—had she gained some kind of opportunity in the changes of heaven and earth?

“This woman’s blood must taste fantastic…” Lian Chengbi’s eyes flashed with a greedy glint as he suppressed his desires.

Qin Ruyan, seeming to sense this, wrinkled her delicate nose and glared coldly at the Taichu Saint Son before stating bluntly, “Your aura makes me feel disgusted.”

Lian Chengbi was taken aback, suddenly feeling as if his secret had been exposed, every hair on his body standing on end, chills racing down his spine.

“Qin Fairy, what do you mean? I haven’t offended you, have I?” He forced himself to maintain his composure, questioning her.

Qin Ruyan didn’t respond but continued to stare at him quietly.

Just a few seconds of direct eye contact made Lian Chengbi’s scalp tingle with fear.

What’s wrong with this woman?

Why does she give off a feeling of being an empress overlooking the world?

“Let’s think of this as just Qin Fairy speaking casually; don’t take it to heart, Lian Daoist,” Lin Duxiu quickly interjected.

“Hmph!”

Lian Chengbi flicked his sleeve and pretended to be dissatisfied as he turned to leave.

Inside, he was panicking!

There was no way around it; the pressure Qin Ruyan exerted was too intense, and he feared that if he continued to meet her gaze, he would be exposed.

Qin Ruyan quietly watched his retreating figure, lost in thought.

“Qin Fairy, the chess match is just ahead. My brother Ji and I will go test the depths, you can do as you wish,” Lin Duxiu said, cupping his hands.

Only then did Qin Ruyan withdraw her gaze and look towards the golden phantom of the chessboard. “This opportunity, I must seize.”

Saying that, she floated gracefully toward it.

Sensing a tester approaching, the golden chessboard emitted a divine light, enveloping Qin Ruyan. In the blink of an eye, she vanished, entering the chessboard’s space for the match.

“Lin brother, what’s up with Qin Fairy? She seems different from before; I actually feel scared of her,” Ji Baxiao said, still shaken.

“How would I know?” Lin Duxiu replied with a bitter smile.

The era of great contention had begun, with endless divine opportunities, a time when grassroots cultivators could soar, and established powers could fall, leading to a reshuffling of countless factions.

Thus, Lin Duxiu felt that Qin Ruyan’s changes were reasonable.

“Whatever, let’s get into the chess match!”

Resolving to proceed, the two rushed toward the golden chessboard’s phantom. As gentle ripples of space appeared, they vanished into thin air.

On another side.

On the mountaintop, several figures appeared.

Looking at the crowded scene ahead and the phantom chess match hovering in the sky.

Ye Junlin marveled, “This opportunity is interesting; just by playing chess, they’re willing to give rewards. And each person has three chances—it’s like getting free rewards three times!”

Hong Qianye pondered for a moment, then mused, “Is there really such good fortune in the world? I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off.”

Li Wujie waved his hand. “Oh come on, don’t be so paranoid. Look at that crowd; they seem fine to me. You’re just overthinking it!”

“Besides, who wouldn’t want such a chance that comes without cost?”

Since their destination was Taichu Holy Land, they stopped by Cangmu State, where they found a gathering of cultivators, adding to the excitement. After a bit of inquiry, they learned about the heavenly chess match.

Curiosity led them to come take a look!

They observed people occasionally emerging from the chess match, some overjoyed, some maintaining a calm facade, while others let out disappointed sighs…

It was clear everyone was merely there to take advantage, hoping for good luck to hit the jackpot and become rich.

Seeing this, Ye Junlin inwardly scoffed, “Are you all really here to play chess?”

Seems more like you’re just here to mooch!

“Ahem.”

At that moment, Li Wujie cleared his throat and shamelessly said, “I can’t hide it from you all; I actually have some insights into the Way of Chess and want to practice my skills.”

Hong Qianye shot him a disdainful look. “You came here to play chess? I can’t believe you!”

“You can believe it or not! I embody the spirit of the Way of Chess!”

Li Wujie ignored Hong Qianye and couldn’t contain his urge to mooch, eagerly rushing toward the chessboard’s phantom.

“Geez, everyone’s just a moocher,” Ye Junlin sighed.

Most cultivators entering the chess game were driven by a mindset of gaining benefits and had a subtle gambler’s mentality.

After all, if they got decent rewards, wouldn’t that be a huge win?

Result?

In less than ten seconds.

Li Wujie was teleported out, his face glowing as if he’d just undergone a thrilling battle, the expression of wanting more etched on his face.

He approached Ye Junlin, looking a bit embarrassed, “Master, I’m done…”

“What the heck, that was fast?” Ye Junlin exclaimed in shock.

Li Wujie frowned, “Master, that was my limit; I can’t go any faster—it’s just not possible.”

After saying this, he stood rooted in place, feeling like something was off…